Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2024, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (11): 2329-2330.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01665

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Defined hydrogels for spinal cord organoids: challenges and potential applications

Wai Hon Chooi, Yuewen Wu, Shi-Yan Ng#br#   

  1. Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore (Chooi WH, Wu Y, Ng SY)
    Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore, Singapore (Wu Y)
  • Online:2024-11-15 Published:2024-03-28
  • Contact: Wai Hon Chooi, PhD, chooi_wai_hon@imcb.a-star.edu.sg.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by A*STAR Career Development Fund (C210112011) and National Medical Research Council (MOH-001248-00) (to WHC); Singapore International Graduate Award (to YW); National Research Foundation (NRF-NRFF-2018-003) and Biomedical Research Council, A*STAR Research Entities (to SYN).

Abstract: Organoids of the central nervous system, primarily derived from pluripotent stem cells or neural stem cells, are three-dimensional tissue cultures with self-organizing properties. When exposed to the right combinations of signals, they differentiate into a 3D tissue consisting of complex cytoarchitecture and native cell types, including various neuron subtypes and glial cells. These features closely mimic native tissues, making them invaluable for developmental studies and disease modeling. In recent years, spinal cord organoids (SCOs) have been developed to investigate spinal cord development, injuries, and various neurological disorders. As an integral part of the central nervous system, SCOs play a vital role and serve as a site for studying both neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases.